Mom in doping case seeks visits

Court considers plan for kids who drank laced juice

A Naperville mother might get to visit as early as this weekend with the three young children she hasn't seen since March 7, when she was alleged to have overmedicated them.

DuPage County Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell said Thursday that she was inclined to approve short supervised visits with Michelle Helgeson and the three children, ages 10, 9 and 4.

Prosecutors objected, asking that the children be given psychological exams to ensure that the visits will not have a negative effect.

Creswell told both attorneys to return Friday to her courtroom with specific plans for the visits and for a possible decision.

"I understand the state's position, but I will do what is in the best interest of the children," she said. "Maybe an hour on a weeknight and two hours on a weekend in a supervised situation."

Assistant State's Atty. Michael Reidy also disclosed additional details of the alleged crime to Creswell to bolster his argument.

Reidy said that when Naperville paramedics were called to Helgeson's home, they were told by the mother that the children accidentally all drank from a glass containing a Xanax pill.

But Reidy said, after the three children were taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville for treatment and observation, they told police that they were each promised $40 by their mother to drink from a glass believed to have contained the crushed medication.

"A police search produced $40 in two of the children's bedrooms," Reidy said.

Prosecutors have not stated a motive, nor have they stated the total amount of the drug believed to have been ingested by the children.

Ernest DiBenedetto, Helgeson's attorney, said: "The children have expressed concern about their mother, whom they have lived with their whole life.

"She understands this has to be a supervised situation and we have to be cautious."

DiBenedetto said his client is receiving psychological treatment.

Helgeson is charged with 12 counts of aggravated battery and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

She is out of the County Jail on $100,000 bail. On Thursday, she pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Both Reidy and DiBenedetto said they believe Helgeson's former husband, who has custody, approves of supervised visits.